600 mile service

[Dauntless]

What does the dealer do to the bike? Does the final drive fluid get changed? If so, will the 600 mile service charge be less if I do some of the things myself? How do I change the final drive fluid? It would have been nice if there was a drain plug.

[Robert_winter_1000]

Dauntless,
As far as I know, you can NOT do anything yourself as far as the bike is under the warranty. Of course you can do what ever you like for your bike but then you will lose the warranty. Ask about this in order to be sure.
Regards
Robert

[Caroanbill]

From what I've read, the final drive lubrication is supposed to be "lifetime" (I'll bet the GS owners who've had drives replaced believe that).

Whether it is "lifetime" or not, and failure is likely to be well past statutory warranty and into BWM goodwill. In my experience, BMW goodwill is pretty good, and ceratinly better than most (cars and bikes) - but it is highly dependent on a sound service history (as THEY see it).

I'd be suffering dealer labour and expense at the 1000km service - and particularly the final drive lubrication - for two reasons:
- I don't want to void either company warranty or goodwill on such an expensive bit, since I intend to keep the R12R a LONG time.
- In case I had to sell, I'd want to be able to show a potential buyer a "perfect" service history (since I'd never buy a car or bike without one). A less-than perfect history loses $ on resale.

I have a mate whose GS final drive died after warranty. BWM replaced it, including labour. The "perfect" srvice history (with one dealer, the dealer who did replaced the drive) was a factor in BMW's decision. YMMV.

[ka5ysy]

FYI everyone:

The current 600 mile service requires that the final drive fluid be changed. Other service is oil and filter, and tighten all bolts etc.

Doug

[TWI]

Dauntless,
As far as I know, you can NOT do anything yourself as far as the bike is under the warranty. Of course you can do what ever you like for your bike but then you will lose the warranty. Ask about this in order to be sure.
Regards
Robert

This is not true in the US. Provided all the required maintenance is done, the manufacturer can not deny a warranty claim.

OTOH, the 600 mile service permits the dealership to verify that the bike is functioning properly. The first service is best left to the dealership. After that, DIY if possible.

[deilenberger]

It includes:

Valve adjustment and TB sync
Engine oil and filter change (20W-50 BMW oil)
Rear drive oil change (75W-90) GL5 oil
Go over bike - check for anything loose

Depending on the dealer - cost will be included in the purchase of the bike up to around $400. Mine was $275, but I had it "included" in the cost of the bike so SWMBO didn't ask why I was spending $$$ on service for the bike a week after I got it.

[NeilS]

The big part of the 600 mile service to me is retorquing the head bolts. It's not a simple "Torque to X lb-ft" procedure, it's "Torque to X, then tighten another half-turn." I find that scary. I've had bolts break using that kind of sequence, and I didn't want to have to explain a broken head bolt to the dealer, so I let them do the service.

[UncleBean]

My RR is ready for its first service. I received a checklist from the dealer (for a R1200S) that had the obvious items to be checked, but no mention of changing the diff fluid. Is there a TSB out there that requires this service at 600 miles? Is there another document that lists what must/should be included?

Thanks,
John

[sandycruz]

Timely topic for me.

I've a chance to pick up a used 2007 R1200R for $1500.00 less than list.

Its got 2900 miles, looks new BUT the owner has not had the 600 mile service. Nor can he prove he did anything other than change the engine oil and filter. The dealer, where he bought the bike, said they would have talk to their BMW warranty representative. I think that means the warranty is void. What do you guys think?

[celticus]

It is temping. Maybe let the dealer know how happy you would be to do business with him IF they honored the warranty but without the warranty you would take it elsewhere for work.
Mark

[hass]

Timely topic for me.

I've a chance to pick up a used 2007 R1200R for $1500.00 less than list.

Its got 2900 miles, looks new BUT the owner has not had the 600 mile service. Nor can he prove he did anything other than change the engine oil and filter. The dealer, where he bought the bike, said they would have talk to their BMW warranty representative. I think that means the warranty is void. What do you guys think?

The 600 mile service is an important one. I wouldn't buy a bike that didn't have it done without a warranty - you are just asking for problems down the line. If they honor the warranty then you could consider it, otherwise - walk away!

[TWI]

Its got 2900 miles, looks new BUT the owner has not had the 600 mile service. Nor can he prove he did anything other than change the engine oil and filter. The dealer, where he bought the bike, said they would have talk to their BMW warranty representative. I think that means the warranty is void. What do you guys think?

If BMW will go on record saying the warranty is good on the bike (without you paying to have service done), fine. Otherwise, I don't see how it is worth the potential future trouble.

[celticus]

What does he claim to have done , as opposed to what he can prove.
Mark

[sandycruz]

He said he just did the engine oil and filter change. Nothing else.

[Phillo]

My first service which was on the 18th of June cost R:1257.76 made up of 2.3 hours labour R:575.00 - seal ring R:3.08 - Oil filter R:88.30 - Diff oil R:58.92 - Engine oil R:378.00 plus VAT of R:154.46 which total is around $175.00 US so seems to be fairly constant around the world

[BigEasy]

Here is anotherfly in the warranty ointment-my dealer told me to wait on the initial service to 1000 miles not km and told me that it would not void the warranty. What do you guys think of that???

[8b]

For anyone interested, mine was done at Touch of Class in NJ as follows:
Parts: oil filter=16.25 gasket a16x20=.85 4qrts 20w50=23 hex nut .90 O-Ring 1.05 3? Synthetic Gear oil 5.97 TOTAL PARTS= 48.02
Sublet/other (what does that mean?)= 9.49
Labor 3.08 hours @ 77= 237.16
TOTAL 294.67 plus sales tax about 315.00
I have breakdown on labor tasks is anone wants that, too tired to type them now. How does this compare to what others have paid in USD?

[deilenberger]

Here is anotherfly in the warranty ointment-my dealer told me to wait on the initial service to 1000 miles not km and told me that it would not void the warranty. What do you guys think of that???

I believe the acceptable range is 400-1000 miles.. I don't think you'll have any problems with 1,000 miles - but if it gets to 600 - just take it in and ask them to do it.

[ka5ysy]

Since the issue has come up again, and is of interest to many people here goes a freebie : (USA users only, others: Consult your local attorneys)

DEALERSHIP WEENIE SAYS: "you have to use a specific manufacturers brand of product in order to maintain the validity of your warranty" or "You cannot do your own work" or "You must use a specific oil/lube/part or your warranty is void".

It is a violation of Federal Law to require a consumer to use a specific brand or type of product unless that product is provided free of charge by the dealer or manufacturer.

The claim is usually made by a dealership service center that any other brand of product, but what they are selling, will "void the warranty", with the statement or implication that only the original equipment brand of product may be used.

Such statements are blatantly false. If the consumer asks for that statement in writing, he will not receive it. Nevertheless, the consumer may feel uneasy about using replacement parts that are not original equipment. With the large number of do-it-yourselfers who prefer to install many of their own service and maintenance parts, such as oil and filters, this misleading claim IS A FLAT LIE.

Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. SS 2301-2312 (1982), and general principles of the Federal Trade Commission Act, a manufacturer may not require the use of any brand of part unless the manufacturer provides the item free of charge under the terms of the warranty.

So if you are told that only the original equipment part will not void the warranty, you should ask that the part be supplied free of charge. If you are charged for the part, the manufacturer or dealership will be violating the terms of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. This applies to any consumer product, not just cars and trucks or motorcycles in our case.

This applies to parts, oils or lube of any kind, etc.


And I can make some good legal fees ! (More Toys!)


Yes, I am really an Attorney in my real occupation

[BigEasy]

Don, I had the 600 mile service done at about 900 miles and the dealer was cool re: warranty validity. Part of the deal for me getting the service done was logistics-currently there is no BMW dealer in Indianapolis the closest big town to me (Google Trafalgar Indiana for a laugh we got our first stop light last November and I don't live in town) I took the bike back to my dealer of purchase in Champaign Ill about a 2 1/2 hour ride away.

One warranty thing I am interested in and have not heard anyone talk about is maintaining rpm's below 4-4500. The reason for my interest stems from exprience with outboard motors. I am aware of instances where ouwners did not follow proper breakin procedures with an outboard and after a failure the manufacturer would not honor the warranty.

If you are not familiar with outboard breakin you are "supposed to" operate uner X rpm for a certain period of time (typically 10 hours) while ensuring that the motor is not operated at a steady state for extended periods. Some manufacurers have gone to the extent of programing the ECU to prevent operation above X rpm until the motor has the requisite 10 hours on it. BTW that is also how the manufacturer determines procdure complicity- the ECU in modern outboards are programmed with a datalogging function so when a tech plugs the motor into the computer to read error codes thay can also observe several other operational functions includeing hours and rpms.

I have not heard of any warranty claims not being honored because breakin operation procedures had not been followed on a bike. I'm just curious if bike manufacturers are as picky as boat motor builders.